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Who are 2014's test and reserve drivers?

13 March 2014 – For each of Formula 1's 11 teams, two drivers are hired to do battle on Sundays throughout the year. But there are also a number of test and reserve drivers waiting in the wings. Some will spend the season on the periphery, while others will participate in free practice sessions and test days and could even make stand-in appearances. So who are these drivers and what will they be doing? GPUpdate.net reveals all...

Red Bull has retained the services of António Félix da Costa and Sébastien Buemi to help them with the RB10. Both drivers will use the simulator and may receive some track time during the in-season tests and at show runs. Félix da Costa was usurped for the Toro Rosso seat by Daniil Kvyat and will race for BMW in DTM this year. Former Toro Rosso racer Buemi will continue to race for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship.

Ferrari has held on to Pedro de la Rosa, Marc Gené and Davide Rigon, who will be available for 'development work on the F14 T and other racing and promotional activities.' Veteran de la Rosa joined Ferrari at the start of 2013 after race stints with Arrows, Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber and HRT. Gené raced for Minardi and Williams over a decade ago, while Rigon will contest the World Endurance Championship with the AF Corse run Ferrari team.

Former Marussia and Caterham driver Charles Pic will act as Lotus's third driver and is due to be present at all 19 races. Formula Renault 3.5 racer Marco Sørensen and Nicolas Prost, son of four-time World Champion Alain, are signed as reserve and development drivers, with the latter set to conduct the majority of simulator work.

McLaren-Mercedes: Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL, 21)

Vandoorne steps up as McLaren's reserve after joining their young driver programme in February last year. Vandoorne finished runner-up to Kevin Magnussen in last season's Formula Renault 3.5 series and has switched to GP2 with ART Grand Prix. Vandoorne will also participate in some Formula 1 tests in 2014 with McLaren.

Force India-Mercedes: Daniel Juncadella (ESP, 22)

Spanish driver Juncadella has already tested the VJM07 after being given a day behind the wheel in Spain. He will dovetail his role with another year of DTM for Mercedes. Juncadella, the 2012 F3 Euro Series champion, tested for Williams last year and is likely to participate in several free practice sessions with Force India.

Former Caterham driver van der Garde opted to switch to a reserve role with Sauber and the Dutchman will take part in a handful of free practice sessions, the first coming at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Formula Renault 3.5's Sirotkin tested for Sauber towards the end of last year and is expected to get an outing this year, while former IndyCar racer de Silvestro recently signed as the team's 'affiliated driver'. Sauber is training her with a view to a 2015 race seat and she is hopeful of taking part in a free practice session towards the end of the year.

Williams-Mercedes: Felipe Nasr (BRA, 21); Susie Wolff (GBR, 31)

Brazilian GP2 racer Nasr has joined Williams as their test driver and received a day in the FW36 at the final Bahrain test. Nasr is set to take part in five free practice sessions and a couple of further test days. Wolff continues in her role as development driver but will receive an expanded programme for 2014. The Briton will drive the FW36 during first practice in Britain and Germany as well as a test day during the season.

Caterham-Renault: Robin Frijns (NED, 22); Alexander Rossi (USA, 22)

Caterham came close to giving Frijns a race seat for 2014 but opted to hire him as their reserve driver. Frijns has already had a couple of days in the CT05 pre-season and is likely to be given more track time. Rossi will also test the Formula 1 car at some point as he focuses on winning the GP2 title with Caterham's eponymous sister team.

Mercedes, Toro Rosso and Marussia are yet to confirm their test drivers for the 2014 campaign.

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